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Pierson council unhappy with U.S. 17 speed limit

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:08 p.m.

PIERSON — Town Council members discussed issues Tuesday night ranging from the speed limit on U.S. 17 to the town's rental income from a building.

The council reviewed results of a Florida Department of Transportation study on the portion of U.S. 17 that runs through town. City leaders had requested in the past that the speed limit be lowered to 35 mph, but the department called that "unnecessary" in its study and said it would set a speed limit of 40, down from the current 45.

The council agreed unanimously to say it disagreed with the report and to request a full copy of it from the state for review.

In other business, the council discussed its lease agreement with a BB&T bank for part of a building the town owns at 106 S. Center St. Under the proposed lease renewal, the bank will pay the town $1,400 per month in the first year of the lease. That amount will increase an additional $100 in both the second and third years.

The previous three-year lease was structured similarly, with the bank paying $1,100 the first year with $100 increases in subsequent years.

Additionally, the town will consider adding its own drop box for after-hours bill payments and documents dropped off by residents.

As they have each year for the past five years, council members voted to give all town employees a $250 holiday bonus.

Councilman Robert Greenlund raised a proposal to change the time of the town's regular bi-weekly meetings. Currently, meetings are held every other Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. With the exception of Councilman Herbert Bennett, the council agreed that an earlier meeting time would be beneficial, especially given the change from daylight saving time back to standard time.

Bennett preferred to stick to tradition and keep the meetings at their current time.Town Clerk Debbie Bass said the meetings might draw more residents if they were held earlier. She noted the town had the latest meetings of any municipality in Volusia County.

The issue was tabled and a specific time will be discussed at the next meeting.

The council also disagreed with a Volusia County Fire Services proposal to cut the number of personnel at Station 44, which provides the town with emergency medical transport services, from its current four to two. They unanimously agreed to send a formal letter expressing of disagreement and to discuss the matter with County Councilman Pat Patterson.

Council members recognized Janet Meza, a senior at Taylor Middle-High School, for winning the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month Educators in Excellence contest.

The senior was the only winner in the high school category of the art and essay contest and will receive a four-year college scholarship, courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

"That's quite an achievement, and we want to congratulate you," said council Chairman Samuel Bennett. "We're proud of you."

<p>PIERSON &mdash; Town Council members discussed issues Tuesday night ranging from the speed limit on U.S. 17 to the town's rental income from a building. </p><p>The council reviewed results of a Florida Department of Transportation study on the portion of U.S. 17 that runs through town. City leaders had requested in the past that the speed limit be lowered to 35 mph, but the department called that "unnecessary" in its study and said it would set a speed limit of 40, down from the current 45. </p><p>All of the members of the council found that inadequate. </p><p>"Seville has 35. Crescent City has 35. Why can't Pierson?" said Vice Chairman Billy Carter. </p><p>The council agreed unanimously to say it disagreed with the report and to request a full copy of it from the state for review. </p><p>In other business, the council discussed its lease agreement with a BB&T bank for part of a building the town owns at 106 S. Center St. Under the proposed lease renewal, the bank will pay the town $1,400 per month in the first year of the lease. That amount will increase an additional $100 in both the second and third years. </p><p>The previous three-year lease was structured similarly, with the bank paying $1,100 the first year with $100 increases in subsequent years. </p><p>Additionally, the town will consider adding its own drop box for after-hours bill payments and documents dropped off by residents. </p><p>As they have each year for the past five years, council members voted to give all town employees a $250 holiday bonus. </p><p>Councilman Robert Greenlund raised a proposal to change the time of the town's regular bi-weekly meetings. Currently, meetings are held every other Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. With the exception of Councilman Herbert Bennett, the council agreed that an earlier meeting time would be beneficial, especially given the change from daylight saving time back to standard time. </p><p>Bennett preferred to stick to tradition and keep the meetings at their current time.Town Clerk Debbie Bass said the meetings might draw more residents if they were held earlier. She noted the town had the latest meetings of any municipality in Volusia County. </p><p>The issue was tabled and a specific time will be discussed at the next meeting. </p><p> The council also disagreed with a Volusia County Fire Services proposal to cut the number of personnel at Station 44, which provides the town with emergency medical transport services, from its current four to two. They unanimously agreed to send a formal letter expressing of disagreement and to discuss the matter with County Councilman Pat Patterson. </p><p>Council members recognized Janet Meza, a senior at Taylor Middle-High School, for winning the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month Educators in Excellence contest. </p><p>The senior was the only winner in the high school category of the art and essay contest and will receive a four-year college scholarship, courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. </p><p>"That's quite an achievement, and we want to congratulate you," said council Chairman Samuel Bennett. "We're proud of you." </p><p>"That's something you ought to be proud of!" Councilman Herbert Bennett said. </p><p>In perhaps the least controversial vote of the night, council members voted unanimously to cancel a Town Council meeting scheduled for Dec. 25.</p>